Study on effects of occupational hazards on course and outcome of pregnancy using obstetrical data of hospitals

Abstract

Objective To explore the practial value of investigation of the effects of occupational hazards on course and outcome of pregnancy using obstetrical data of hospitals. Methods 12 224 primiparae in obstetrical wards of 8 hospitals in Beijing were investigated by questionnaire,to obtain the materials about general condition such as age,occupation especially the condition of exposed to occupational hazards and conditions of pregnancy outcome and complications of pregnancy and delivery.Cohort study was performed by selecting the cases exposed to occupational hazards during pregnancy as exposed groups,and the cases not exposed to any occupational hazards as control group.The relationship between the adverse pregnancy course,pregnancy outcome and exposure to occupational hazards during pregnancy were analysed.The potencial confounded factors were adjusted with Logistic regression. Results The incidences of pregnancy induced hypertension,premature labor,low birth weight,intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR),and postpartum hemorrhage in the groups exposed to noise(1 272 cases) were 10.2%,4.9%,3.8%,2.5% and 4.7% respectively,and in the group exposed to whole body vibration(599 cases) were 11.9%,5.8%,4.0%,2.5%,and 7.2% respectively,whereas those in the control group(9 260 cases) were 8.1%,3.4%,2.6%,1.5% and 3.4% respectively,(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The incidences of pregnancy induced hypertention,premature labor,and postpartum hemorrhage in group exposed to toxic chemicals(1 006 cases) were 10.6%,4.8% and 6.4% respectively,(P<0.05 or P<0.01).All were significantly higher than those of control group.The result was the same after the confounders were adjusted by Logistic regression. Conclusion Using obstetrical data and questionnaire of puerpera before discharge from hospital could provide clue to whether some occupational hazards have adverse effects on pregnancy course and pregnancy outcome or not.